Weekly update: More on Coffee, Impact, and Grassroots Partnerships
This week's update looks back at the tree we planted in Kenya over a month ago, plus other updates from this week.
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Hard to believe it’s March already, the year seems to be flying by!
I wrote about my trip to Kenya for my honeymoon a month ago, where we explored coffee farms in Kericho and even planted a tree ourselves. In case you missed it, you can find that post here. Yesterday, I received a photo of the tree we planted and it seems to be growing nicely. We're hoping that it will eventually yield coffee beans.
Continuing on the topic of coffee, I received a fascinating dashboard from a friend that illustrates the effects of climate change on coffee production. The dashboard reveals a startling 20% decrease in coffee production in Brazil if the current course of climate change persists. At present, Brazil produces over one-third of the world's coffee.
Other highlights from this week are posted below. As always, please feel free to like, share or forward this onto others!
NYC Impact Roadshow: A Recap
On Tuesday, Global Citizen hosted its NYC Impact Roadshow, welcoming key Global Citizen stakeholders – artists, artists managers, agents, broadcast partners, corporate partners, nonprofit partners, board members, and more – to brief them all on the impact Global Citizen had in 2022, and give a sneak peek of what’s to come in the year ahead, and the upcoming opportunities to have impact.
Global Citizen were so fortunate to have been joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who delivered inspiring opening remarks, and expressed his gratitude for the great partnership we’ve had with the city of New York for the last ten years - indeed we echo this, and could not think of a better city to call our home!
When activists are silenced: What private companies should do
As you probably know by now, Global Citizen organizes monthly twitter space conversations on issues related to civic space, and to kick off the year, last month’s episode dealt with the most pressing things States need to do in 2023 to maintain civic space open. As a natural complement to that, in this month’s session, which you can listen to Here, we explore what private companies should do - and what they should stop doing - in order not to restrict civic space. Together with friends from organizations such as Earth Rights, International Service for Human Rights and others, we focused on how SLAPPS (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) muffle civic society voices, particularly in the global south, and what legislative changes in the US and at the European Union level are currently in the works and which can potentially help restrict these negative practices. Have a listen and share on your networks!
Grassroots Partnerships to Strengthen Pacific Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation
Next week, our friends at IFAD together with PIFON will be hosting a hybrid side event on “Grassroot Partnerships to Strengthen Pacific Food Security and Climate Change Adaptation”, organized in the context of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry.
Date: 8 March 2023
Time: 11:00 (PST)
Join the discussion virtually by clicking here
Location: Executive Board Room, Sofitel Resort and Spa, Nadi, Fiji
Join a panel of representatives from civil society, NGOs, development organizations, government agencies and private sector entities united to amplify rural voices and reflect on critical challenges in attaining food security and climate change adaptation in the Pacific, and opportunities for strengthened collaboration.
The event is co-sponsored by IFAD and DFAT Australia.
The event will be in English.
Register for the event here by 7th March, or write to:t.nicodeme@ifad.org
Global Citizen NOW Returning to NY
In case you missed it, last week, Global Citizen announced the return of Global Citizen NOW, this April with a dynamic, two-day program focused on turning ideas into impact and driving urgent action to end extreme poverty NOW. Convening the brightest minds and leading voices across all spheres of society, from world leaders to grassroots activists, Global Citizen NOW showcases the power of cross-sector collaboration to solve the most urgent issues facing humanity and our planet. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Taking place on April 27 and 28 in New York City, the confirmed co-chairs include long-time Global Citizen supporters Chris Martin and Hugh Jackman. Additional co-chairs and participants include:
Co-Chairs: Ursula von der Leyen, Mia Mottley, Nana Akufo-Addo, Erna Solberg, Hans Vestberg, Nir Bar Dea, Fran Katsoudas, Marc Pritchard, Diego Scotti, Tshepo Mahloele, Edward Skyler, Dr. Rajiv Shah, Mark Malloch Brown, Darren Walker, and more to be announced.
Participants: C.D. Glin, Catherine McKenna, Vanessa Nakate, Alok Sharma, Yasmine Sherif, and more to be announced.
My Weekend Reading List
Biden administration under pressure as Israel-Palestine violence escalates
HBO's The Last of Us Has Limitless Potential — With or Without Joel and Ellie
New drugs could spell an end to the world’s obesity epidemic
Young Activist Summit winner Sebastian Benfeld and his activism story in Chile
That’s all for today!
As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists and articles on a regular basis.
All best,
Mick